JACKSON, Miss.–Forcing Jackson Police to provide security around the state fair is the goal of a lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Fair Commission. The suit was filed Friday and the hope is to make the state’s largest police department put officers and cars around the fair, despite the possible cost of $300,000 in overtime, which the department says it cannot afford.
Jackson’s city budget for the year was well below what is needed to operate as in years past. The police department has normally provided security in the area surrounding the fair, while the Hinds County Sheriff’s Dept. provides security inside.
The sheriff’s department will still provide that security.
The suit was based on attorney general’s opinions, one of which said that a police department cannot intentionally withhold services.
An attorney general’s opinion is not law.
The fair opens next Wednesday.
